The MORRISON GALLERY | Dennis Hartley

Dennis Hartley
American Icon 2008. Oil on Canvas
29 x 23 inches

UPCOMING 2008-9
EXHIBIT SCHEDULE

CURRENT EXHIBITION | Dennis Hartley

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press release

NOTED ABSTRACT PAINTER DENNIS HARTLEY RETURNS TO THE MORRISON GALLERY IN KENT, CT, FOR NEW EXHIBITION.
OPENING: Saturday, October 18th, 4 to 6 PM

Noted abstract expressionist painter, Dennis Hartley returns to The Morrison Gallery in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut for an exhibition of recent works that show him moving into the use of new materials as he explores space, form and color. The exhibit of 35 oil paintings begins October 18 and runs through November 16th, 2008.

Of his recent work, Hartley says: "My current body of work not only continues my formal study of space, form and color within the classical genre of landscape, but is also moving into unfamiliar territory as I continue to distill and interpret the world I inhabit in new ways. Collectors familiar with my older work will hopefully find my new work both familiar and new. Familiar in terms of the textural quality of the surface, treatment of edges, strong horizontals and luminosity, and new as the familiar form of the barn, for example, is fractured in new ways and sometimes disappears altogether when I move into the nonrepresentational realm. One of the ways that I continue to explore the central notion of duality in my work has been to add acrylic paint to my process, and to express this through layering. Working with black over white, sometimes with brushes up to four inches wide, has brought out a joyful and spontaneous aspect of my art making that reflects my love of ancient Chinese painting and the beauty of the calligraphic line.

"In many of these works, the black and white acrylic becomes a ground for the layering of oil, sometimes as a glaze, and sometimes as rich impasto. As much as possible, I've tried to let these works lead me, instead of the other way around. As a result, although I always start with a central idea, what the final images looks like is more the outcome of the process, with each step along the way informed and influenced by the preceding one."

Over the last 30 years Dennis Hartley has worn the hats of architect, designer, builder and artist. Born and raised in Southern California, he received his degree in architecture from Arizona State University in 1972 and has been a registered Architect since 1976. His design-related work has had a strong impact on his work as a painter.

Early in his architectural career, he lived and worked in Paris and Lausanne. His furniture designs have been represented by major galleries and showrooms from coast to coast, as well as exhibited at the International Furniture Fair in New York City. In 1998 he put aside other professional pursuits in order to paint full time. He moved to the Northwest in 1977.

For more information call the gallery at: 860.927.4501

VIEW DENNIS HARTLEY'S WORK

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The MORRISONGALLERY
8 Old Barn Road
Kent, Connecticut 06757
860.927.4501

Hours
weds-sat 10.30 - 5.30
sunday 1-4